Senate Committee on University Priorities

Memorandum

John Waterhous

Chair, SCUP

Vice Preside t, cademic

December 15, 2005

tudies -

TO:

Senate

FROM:

RE:

Proposal for a Collaborative Major in

DATE:

First Nations Studies between SFU and TRU,

and a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (SCUP 05-068)

At its December 7, 2005 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the proposal from the

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences for Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies

between SFU (Kamloops) and Thompson Rivers University, and the Post

Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies.

Motion One

That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal for a

Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,

between SFU (Kamloops) and Thompson Rivers University.

Motion Two

That Senate approve and recommend to the Board of Governors, the proposal for a

Post Baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences?

MEMORANDUM

To: ?

Jo Hinchliffe ?

From: Mary Ann Giffies

Secretary, Senate Committee

Chair, Faculty of Arts

on Undergraduate Studies

and Social Sciences

Curriculum Committee

Subject: First Nations Studies Program

New Collaborative Major

Date:

August 23, 2005

Program in First Nations Studies

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee, at its

meeting of July 21, 2005, approved the attached new major program in First

Nations Studies; a collaborative program between SFU (Kamloops) and

Thompson Rivers University.

Would you please put this item on the agenda of the next meeting of

S.C.U.S.?

Thank you.

Mary Ann Gillies, Chair

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies?

towards Baccalaureate (B.A.) Programs at

Simon Fraser University (Kamloops)

and ?

Thompson Rivers University

submitted to

Ministry of Advanced Education?

Degree Program Review

Date: July 2, 2005

Contact: ?

Dr. Marianne Ignace

Academic Coordinator and Associate Professor, Anthropology and

First Nations Studies

Simon Fraser University, Kamloops?

ignace@sfu.ca ?

250-828-9799

Executive Summary

This collaborative Major in First Nations Studies/Aboriginal Studies arose out of a need

originally expressed by the Aboriginal community in the Interior to Thompson Rivers

University (then University College of the Cariboo), which in turn approached Sin-ion

Fraser University to collaborate on this credential. Simon Fraser University, in turn, has

offered various Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences degree, certificate and diploma

programs in Kamloops since 1987, facilitated through a partnership with the local First

Nation. Through this partnership, SFU has offered a Minor in First Nations Studies in

Kamloops since 1993. The Kamloops SFU Program also has several highly qualified

Faculty members with expertise in First Nations Studies and ancilliary disciplines, some

of them closely connected to local First Nations communities. Thompson Rivers

University, in turn, has a small complementary number of Faculty members with research

and teaching expertise in Aboriginal issues.

This proposed new credential will provide the opportunity for students enrolled at

either Simon Fraser University or Thom

son Rivers University in Kamloops to complete

a Major in First Nations Studies/Aboriginal Studies at their respective institutions by

drawing on courses at the other institution as a visiting student. In short, this proposal

represents an innovative and economical way to enable students to complete this new

Major by drawing on courses, faculty resources, support staff and physical resources of

both institutions. We anticipate that this new Major will allow students to meet the

growing labour market needs for in-depth understanding of Aboriginal issues, as required

in the growing field of First Nations community administration, the First Nations/

provincial and Federal consultation process, the field of First Nations education, and

other areas.

The structure of the collaborative Major in First Nations Studies comprises a core

set of Lower Division courses, some Lower Division concept courses, a First Nations

Language requirement and one or more electives, followed by a set of Upper Division

core courses, and a series of Group Requirements in relevant fields connected to First

Nations issues.

This credential will be fully supported by the existing academic policy frameworks of

both institutions.

0. Background and Overview:

This 6ollaborative Major in First Nations Studies/Aboriginal Studies is a joint initiative

between Thompson Rivers University and Simon Fraser University, the latter facilitated

throtgh SFU's Aboriginal partnership program on the Kamloops Indian Reserve in the

Interior of British Columbia.

The Major will be available for:

students enrolled at the Thompson Rivers University who wish to complete this Major

as part of their degree requirements for a TRU Bachelor of Arts Degree as per regulations

for the completion of Bachelor of Arts Degrees under Thompson Rivers University

p014';

students enrolled at Simon Fraser University through the Kamloops program who wish

to complete this Major as part of their degree requirements for an SFU Bachelor of Arts

Degre, as per regulations for the completion of Bachelor of Arts degr

es under Simon

Fraser University policy.

By offering a collaborative Major in First Nations Studies, each institution is meeting the

demand expressed by its Aboriginal constituents to have more in-depth training in First

Nations studies available in the South-Central Interior and other areas served by each

institution. The Major will thus serve the needs of the Aboriginal labour market in the

Interior of the Provence, and will provide access to Aboriginal students from rural areas

and small cities to such a University credential. In addition, this collaborative initiative is

aimed at serving the needs of the non-Aboriginal labour market, in that a larg

variety of

professions and occupations in the public and private sectors will benefit from the

academic and professional training offered through this Major. By drawing on the

resources of already existing programs at both TRU and SFU, such as SFU's Minor in

First Nations Studies, originally designed for SFU's Kamloops Program, as well as the

TRU 'dJndergraduate Certificate in Aboriginal Studies, this program will rely on already

existing academic expertise and faculty positions at both institutions, as well as existing

and routinely offered courses in FNST (First Nations Studies) and in a variety of other

disciplines.

Both

SFU

and TRU thus view the collaborative Major

as an achievable

and ec 1

onomic opportunity for expanded programming that addresses local labour

markçt and academic interests, and does so in the most economic way possible.

0.1. Purpose of the Collaborative Major in First Nations/Aboriginal Studies

The ge 1

neralpurpose of the collaborative Major in First Nations/Aboriginal Studies is to

providestudents with in-depth academic training comprised of

or more credit hours

in the tudy of traditional and contemporary issues involving Aboriginal peoples of

Canada. as well as Aboriginal and indigenous peoples in other parts of the world. This

Major is aimed at Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students who wish to gain knowledge

aboutAboriginal peoples issues with focus on the following:

traditional Aboriginal knowled

the history of Aboriginal — European relations from an Aboriginal perspective

Abori=ginal pcoples and public policy

Aboriginal rights and title questions, and resource mana

ement issues

Aboriginal economic and resource development, and self-governance

the comparative study of indigenous and Aboriginal peoples world-wide

The Collaborative Major will thus be relevant for Aboriginal students who

wish

to put

knowledge of their own and other Aboriginal peoples to use in furthering the capacity

building in their own communities. It will enhance their employment opportunities in the

labour market of BC and Canada in general by providing them with the written and oral

communication skills, analytical thinking skills that B.A. degrees provide in general,

coupled with an in-depth understanding of Aboriginal issues. It will also be relevant for

non-Aboriginal students who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of Aboriginal

cultures, history, language and legal/political issues, in order to further positive and

informed relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, and in order to be

able to engage in dialogue and problem solving around a variety of issues in public

policy, natural and cultural resource management, and the public representation of

Aboriginal knowledge.

This proposalfor a Bachelor of Arts Major prograi?z in First Nations Studies was given

approval in principle by the Simon Fraser University Faculty

Arts Curriculum

Committee, Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies, and Senate Committee on

University Planning in Fall 2003. It was at the same tune approved

by the Thompson

Rivers University's Education Council.

1. Degree Level Standard

As a University under the British Columbia Universities Act, Simon Fraser University

has had legal degree granting status since 1965, and has offered an increasing number of

Baccalaureate Degrees since that time,

including

a Bachelor of Arts degree. The general

requirements for an SFU Bachelor of Arts degree, as set out in the University's 2005

-2006 calendar, are the completion of 120 credit hours of study, including:

at least 65 credit hours in arts subjects

at least 45 upper division credit hours, including at least 30 upper division credit

hours in an arts major program. No more than 15 upper division hours transferred from

another institution may be used toward the requirements for a major

St.

lower division requirements for at least one arts major

S T. ?

satisfaction of the Faculty of Arts breadth requirements (comprised of a minimum

of 30 credit hours outside of the Arts honours, major or extended minor department; no

more than nine credit hours from any one department may count toward the total of 30

required credit hours).

All other general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts degree as per 2005-2006 SFU

Calendar must be met for the completion of this degree as well.

sStudents must meet the minimum CGPA requirements at both SFU and TRU in order to

grad ute

B.A. students at both institutions may transfer up to 60 credit hours of approved credit

1 ?

from another institution.

This collaborative Major was designed to meet the respective requirements at both

institutions for the completion

of a Bachelor

Arts degree with a Major. Iii order to

comnplte the Collaborative Major in First Nations/A boriginal Studies as a credential

with their respective institution, students imiust also

fulfill

the general requirements

for

B.A. with that institution.

Obviously, in so far that they are both approved through existing legislation and

provincially enabled institutional policies and regulations, the Bachelor of Arts degree

progra1s at both TRU and SFU are structured to include the knowledge base and core

competencies expected of Bachelor of Arts degrees in British Columbia.

reaenuai tecognion ana i'omencJaLure

This

major in First Nations Studies will be an enhancement to existing options of

well established Bachelor of Arts degrees at either SFU or TRU. Since the Major will be

listed ii the degree certificates of each institution, as well as on students' official

transcripts, the certified expertise in the field of First Nations/Aboriginal Studies at the

undergraduate level will contribute to the professional advancement of the graduate, who

can thu

s demonstrate his/her general and specific skills in the field.

As noted above, and as demonstrated by the already existing Minor Program in

First Nations Studies at SFU in Kamloops, a si

nificant portion of the students who are

expectd to declare and complete the Major in First Nations/Aboriginal Studies are

Aboriginal students. In its current 3 year plan, Simon Fraser University has committed to

improve the access of Aboriginal students to studies at the University, and to improve its

programming in First Nations Studies. The Collaborative Major thus fits well into the

current I g

oals and objectives of the University. Likewise, Thompson Rivers University,

which already has a large Aboriginal student population, has set as a goal to provide

improved opportunities for Abori

inal learners, and this Collaborative Major is well in

line with that goal. The reputation of the institutions should be enhanced by the quality

of the offering.

a) Program Structure and Length of the Program

The Firt Nations Studies Major is entirely comprised of courses that

already exist

and

are taught in regular annual or bi-annual cycles at either SFU or TRU, or that exist at both

institutions,

with

transferability of courses ensured

b y

the two institutions. The Major in

First Na'tions Studies as described below fits entirely into the framework of B.A. degrees

with1jors at the two respective institutions. Like a!! other B.A. degrees at SFU and

TRU. a B.A. with a Major in First ations Studies can he completed within the usual

number of semesters, i.e. ei

ht semesters of full-time studies @ 15 credit hours per

semester, or additional semesters if students choose to take fewer credit hours per

semester, or choose part-time study.

Lower Division Requirements

(100 and 200 level courses):

Specifically, the SFUITRU Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies will be

comprised of at least 24 credit hours of Lower Division courses from TRU and/or SFU,

which are organized as

required courses

Aboriginal language requirement

introductory concept courses

The introductory concept courses in Anthropology and Archaeology are intended to

electives.

provide students with a survey of methodologies, theories and approaches that provide

useful conceptual frameworks and historical back

rounds for the study of indigenous

peoples.

The Aboriginal language requirement will encourage students to study a particular

Aboriginal language at (at least) an introductory level, comprising six credit hours. The

purpose of the Aboriginal language requirement is to expose students to the intellectual

complexity of Aboriginal languages in order to further their appreciation and knowledge

over categories of thinking, organizing the world of Aboriginal languages, with focus on

the languages of British Columbia.

Upper Division Requirements (300-400 level)

The collaborative Major is furthermore comprised of at least 30 credit hours of Upper

Division (300-400 level) credit hours from TRU or SFU, categorized as core courses,

Group Requirement courses, and one or more elective courses. The Groups comprise the

following topical areas:

Group I: ?

Aboriginal Language and/or Linguistics of Aboriginal Languages,

Indi

enous Philosophy, Literature, Fine

and Performing Arts

Group II ?

Aboriginal History and Public Policy

Group III

Cultural and

Natural Resource Management and Archaeology

Group IV ?

Comparative Study of Indigenous and Aboriginal Peoples

The remaining credit hours consist of Upper Division elective course(s) with significant

First Nations Studies content.

Prescribed set

core and prerequisite courses:

All courses listed below are identified as per the 2005-2006 SFU and TRU Calendars.

Calendar course descriptions are provided as per 2005-2006 calendars of the two

institutions.

one

Lower

4/:

Division required

courses: ?

FNSt 101-3 The Cultures, Languages and Origins of Canada's First Peoples (SFLJ)*

ANTH 214-3 Canadian Native Peoples (TRU) - (this course is currently being

articulated as the equivalent of SFU's FNST 101)

and

FNST 201-3 Canadian Aboriginal Peoples' Perspectives on History* (SFU)

* both FNST 101 and FNST 201 are also available as distance courses with Simon Fraser

University and Open Learning University. FNST 101 and/or 201 taken through Open

Learning University will

not

violate the residency requirements (see below).

Total:

credit hours

Abrigina1 Language Requirement

Students will meet this requirement by completing six

credit hours

of study in an

Aboriina1 language. This requirement will usually be met by students completing

both:

LING 23 1-3

Introduction to a First Nations Language I (SFU)

and

LING ?

32-3 ?

Introduction to a First Nations Language 11 (SFU)

avaiIale for Secwepemctsin, Ts'ilhqot'in, St'at'imcets and several other languages of the

BC Interior and Coast.

Students

who already have an introductory or intermediate level background in an

Aboriginal lanage may instead take both:

First

LING ?

33-3

Nations Language Mentoring I (SFU)

LING 't34-3 ?

First Nations Language Mentoring II (SFU)

in anyAboriginal language for which there is a local fluent speaker available to tutor the

student

under the direction of a faculty member.

The 6-credit hour requirement in an Aboriginal language

will

also satisfy TRU's B.A.

requirehient of 6-credit hours of coursework in a second language (see above).

Total: 6 credit hours

Introductory concept courses:

(note that the introducloiy concept courses listed below will also count towards the

students breadth requirement

SF1]

towards the student's completion

of a

Minor

or second Major

in Anthropology or Archaeology at

SF1]).

Students must also complete two of the following courses:

one

ANTH 121-3

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (TRU)

SA 1014 ?

Introduction to Anthropology (SFU)

and one

ANTH ?

19-3

Introduction toArchaeolo

gy (TRU)

ARCH 100-3

Ancient Peoples and Places (SFU)

I-

ARCH 201-3 Introduction to Archaeology (SFU)

In addition, it is strongly recommended that students complete

SA 255-4 ?

Introduction to Social Research (SFU),

and one of

STAT 203-3 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (SFU)

MATH 120-3 Introduction to Statistics (TRLJ)

before proceeding to upper division requirements

Total

introductory concept courses required: 6-7 credit hours

4) Lower Division Elective

Students must complete at least six

credit hours

of elective courses with First Nations!

Aboriginal Studies content selected from the following list:

ANTH 223-3

Indians of British Columbia (TRU)

ANTH 219-3

Ancient North Americans (TRU)

ANTH 260-3

Minorities in the Modern World (TRU)

ARCH 223-3

The Prehistory of Canada (SFU)

ARCH 273-3

Archaeology of the New World (SFU)

ARCH 200-3

Special Topics in World Prehistory (SFU)**

CNST 200-3 - Introduction to Canadian Studies (TRU)

ENG 241-3

Canadian Native Literature (TRU)

GEOG 223-3

The Regional Geography of BC and the Yukon (TRU)**

202-3

Native History of Canada (TRU)

HIST

HIST 201-3

The History of Western Canada (SFU)

SA 286-4

Aboriginal Peoples and British Columbia: Introduction (SFU)

SOCI 201-3

Race and Ethnic Relations (TRU)

TMGT 102-3 Cultural, Heritage and Nature Interpretation - (TRU)**

Additional courses with significant First Nations/Aboriginal Studies content available at

either institution (such as SFU's LING 260 when taught with significant First Nations

content) may be approved to meet this requirement.

Total: 6 credit hours

Upper Division Requirements:

Note: It is the student's responsibility to ensure they have met the lower division

requirements for the upper division courses in which the wish to register.

1) Required Core courses:

Students must complete 12 credit hours from the courses below as listed:

FNST 301-3 Issues in Applied First Nations Studies Research (SRi)

FNST 403-3 Indigenous Knowled

e in the Modern World (SFU)

and one

ANTH 327-3 First Nations Natural Resource Managernent(TRU)

FNST 401-3 AhorjinaJ Ri

hts and Government Relations (S FU)

and one

ENG 447-3 Studies in Aboriginal Literature (TRU)

FNS1 402-3 The Discourse of Native Peoples (SFU)

(Note

that

ENG 447

has prerequisites outside FNST)

Tota1 12 credit hours

2) Grup Requirements:

In addition, students must complete at least one Upper Division course from each of the

follo4ing groups (total comprises 12-20 credit hrs.):

Group

I: ?

Aboriginal Language and/or Linguistics of Aboriginal Languages,

Indigenous Philosophy, Literature, Fine and Performing Arts

ENG

47-3 ?

Studies in Aboriginal Literature (TRU)**

FNST 402-3 ?

The Discourse of Native Peoples (SFU)**

FNST1 322-3 ?

Special Topics in FNST - if topic meets Group Requirement (SFU)

FNST 442-3 ?

Directed Readings in First Nations Studies (if topic meets Group. Req.)

Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language I (SFU)

Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language II (SFU)

332-3 ?

LING 335-3 ?

Topics in First Nations Language I: Teaching and Learning an Aboriginal

Language (SFU)

Native American Languages (SFU)

430-3 ?

LING 431-3 ?

Language Structures I (SFU)

LING 432-3

Language Structures II (SFU)

First Nations Language Mentoring I (SFU)

433-3 ?

First Nations Language Mentoring II (SFU)

434-3

LING435-3 Special Topics in Linguistics II: Topics in First Nations Language II (SFU

Group II ?

Aboriginal History and Public Policy

ANTI- 405-3 Canadian Status Treaty Indian Reserve Communities (TRU)

CRJM419-3 Indigenous Peoples, Crime and Criminal Justice (SFU) -

if permission is

granted by the SFU Criminology Department

FNST 322-3 Special Topics in FNST - if topic meets Group Requirement (SFU)

FNST 401-3 Aboriginal Rights and Government Relations (SFU)**

FNST 442-3 Directed Readings in First Nations Studies (if topic meets Gr.Rec) SFU

HIST 325-4 History of Abori g inal Peoples of North America to 1850 (SFU)

HIST 26-4 History of Aboriginal Peoples of North America since 1850 (SFU)

SA 38-4 ?

Native Peoples and Public Policy (SFU)

GrouO III

Cultural and Natural Resource Management and Archaeology

ANTF 327

First Nations Natural Resource Mana

ement (TRU)**

ANTI-I 420-3/6Archaeology of British Columbia (TRU)

ANTFJ 306-3 Summer Field Training in Archaeology (TRU)*

ARCH 365-3 Ecolo g

ical Archaeology (SFU)*

ANTH 326-3 Environmental Archaeology (TRU)

ARCH 349-5 N!ana2ement of Archaeolo

ical Collections (SFU)K

ARCH 386-3 Archaeolo

ical Resource Manag

ment (SFU)*

ARCH 435-6 Fieldwork Practicum (SFU)*

ATH 411-3/6 Prehistory of a Special Area in the New World (TRU)

ARCH

372-5

Material Culture Analysis (SFU)*

ARCH

485-5

Lithic Technology (SFU)*

FNST 322-3 Special Topics in FNST - if topic meets Group Requirement (SFU)

FNST

332-3 Ethnobotany of British Columbia First Nations (SFU)

FNST 442-3 Directed Readings in First Nations Studies (if topic meets Group. Req.)

(SFU)

Group IV

Comparative Study of Indigenous and Aboriginal Peoples

ANTH 401-3 Native Peoples of North America (TRU)

ANTH 404-3 Peoples and Cultures of the North American Arctic (TRU)

ARCH 360-5 Native Cultures of North America (SFU)

CRIM 311-3 Minorities and the Criminal Justice System (SFU)

ENG

446-3 ?

Studies in Commonwealth Postcolonial Literature: Indi

enous Literatures

of Canada, Australia and New Zealand (TRU)

FNST 322-3 Special Topics in FNST - if topic meets Group Requirement (SFU)

FNST 442-3 Directed Readings in First Nations Studies (if topic meets Group. Req.)

(SFU)

Comparative Studies of Minority Indigenous Peoples (SFU)

SA 388-4 ?

SA 486-4 ?

Aboriginal Peoples and British Columbia: Advanced Seminar (SFU)

Total: 12-20 credit hours

3) General Elective Requirement:

If the student's total number of upper division credit hours after meeting the upper

division required core course and group requirements total less than 30 credit hours, the

student is required to take an additional 3 to 8 credit hours of electives from any of the

above Group Requirement upper division courses, or from additional courses in FNST or

with First Nations/Abori

inal Studies content offered at either SFU or TRU

Total: Genera! Elective Requirement: 8 credit hours

(if

core and group requirement

courses do not already total 30 credit hours

Notes:

* if topic includes a significant component of First Nations/Abori

inal content

** if this course was not already used to meet the core Upper Division Requirement

*** Courses with significant First Nations/Aboriginal Studies content available at either

institution that are not listed on the above course lists may be approved to meet this

requirement.

Governance of the Collaborative Major:

A steering committee composed of three faculty representatives from each institution

will administer the academic planning under academic policies supported by both

institutions. This steering committee will be supported by a larger First Nations advisory

committee with representation from the local and regional Aboriginal community,

Aboriginal students at

TRU

and SFU Kamloops

and First Nations support staff at both

institutions (see below).

4. Learning Methodologies/Program Delivery

The courses that comprise the Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies are delivered

throuh well-established conventional mechanisms of university course delivery

practised at both institutions. The calendar course descriptions (see Appendix 1) provide

information about the vectoring of courses, and to what degree they are comprised of

lecture, seminar and tutorial. Many of the

TRU

Lower Division courses will be offered

iarde

classes in excess of 50 students, and will thus consist of two hours of lecture and

one hour of tutorial, where students review and analyse lecture material in the smaller

group setting of a tutorial. Classes at the SFU campus in Kamloops are typically smaller,

in that, they consist of less than 30 students, and tend to feature a combined lecture/

seminar approach that allows students to review and analyse subject matter, ask questions

and se k feed-back to their thoughts within the time-frame allotted to the schedule. As

Appe9dix 2 (course outlines) shows, the student assessment and evaluation methods in

the courses that comprise the Major emphasize the assessment of skills normally required

in a B.A. program, including essay writing, demonstrated command over details of

subject matter taught in the course, and applying reasoning skills. In addition to these,

but not in substitution, the core courses in First Nations Studies (FNST) also invite

aboriginal learners and others to apply their own experiences to course content, and to re-

evaluate their own experiences of First Nations issues in the light of what they are

learning in the course.

Aboriginal language courses, which form part of the Lower Division requirement,

are tauht by fluent speakers of particular Aboriginal languages, or in some instances by a

team oa Linguist familiar with the language in combination with a fluent speaker/

teaching assistant. The SFU program in Kamloops also makes every effort to integrate

the knowledge of local First Nations elders and community members into course content,

and thiis features frequent guest lectures as parts of courses. Several courses also have

built-in field excursions to significant heritage sites or resource producing locations in the

Aboriinal Territories of the First Nation where they are offered.

FNST 101 and 201 are available as

distance courses

through the SFU Centre for

Distance Education and Open Learning University. FNST 401-3 is currently under

development.

FNST

and 201 are also being enhanced with computer assisted instructional

methodologies.

FNST 442 is listed as an optional elective course or Group Requirement Course

(if warranted by subject matter learned in this course). This course is an independent

studies course which is not taught in a regular classroom setting, but through an

established structure of supervision and rapport between a regular faculty member and a

student', who engages in a readings and research project with that faculty member

according to a prior established method of assessment and evaluation (see Appendix 2,

Course Outlines).

SFU's LING 433-3 and 434-3 (First Nations Language Mentoring I and II).

involve the study of a particular First Nations Lan

uage with a fluent speaker of that

language throu

h a "master-apprentice approach" that involves forty hours of

concentrated practice by a learner with a fluent speaker of a language, combined with

homework practice and followed by a formal evaluation.

Some courses, including TRU's Summer Field Training in Archaeology (ANTH

306-6) and SFU's Kamloops Archaeology Field School comprised of Arch 372-5, and

Arch 435-6 - all of which count towards meeting the Group 111 Upper Division

Requirement, feature large components of experiential learning, in the sense that

students learn archaeological research methods hands-on. FNST 332-3 Ethnobotany of

British Columbia First Nations, combines traditional Aboriginal methods of experiential

learning (pit-cooking, plant food and medicine preparation) with applying conventional

scientific laboratory methods to the chemical and nutritional study of Aboriginal use

plants.

Some courses may also include components of research and research training.

Where research with human subjects forms an aspect of a course, it will be subject to the

policies of the Ethics Review Committees/Boards that exist at both SFU and TRU.

Admission, Transfer and Residency

Students who wish to complete the Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies can do

this as regular students at either Simon Fraser University or the Thompson Rivers

University. The institution at which they plan to receive their degree will be their home

institution, and they will apply for admission to the institution at which they will take

courses in partial fulfillment of their degree requirement as

visiting students.

Upon

application to either institution as regular rather than visiting students, students may

apply to change their home institution. Accordingly, the existing admission requirements

for either institution apply to students seeking admission to the Major in First Nations

Studies.

TRU's admission requirements are listed in the 2005-2006 Calendar. Basic requirements

for admission include:

I ! . ?

Completion of BC Grade 12 (or equivalent) or Mature Student Status(at least 19

years of age with a minimum of two years out of school who is lacking requirements for

a course, but still subject to meeting course and program prerequisites)

.!. ?

BC English 12 (or equivalent) - Grade required varies from C+ to B or LPI Test

Level 4

4 6

Canadian Citizenship or Landed Immigrant status

SFU's minimum admission requirements are listed in the 2005-2006 Calendar. They

include:

admission from secondary school, based on the student's completion of a variety

of Grade 11 and 12 courses in core areas

community or university college transfer

s!6

transfer from another university

s ?

mature entry

(23

years of age or older) and other special entry categories

Students who apply as visiting students are evaluated as University transfer applicants.

Since 2000, the Kamloops SFU Program has had a Special Admissions Procedure

which provides the program with more flexibility in admitting students who do not meet

the normal admission requirements set out in the SFU Calendar. Such students, upon

proofof their meeting the academic expectations and requirements of university courses,

are now directly recommended to the SFU Registrar for admission to the program.

NB: Students admitted to SFU after September 2006 may be required to

meet the new admissions and graduation requirements that will come into effect as

of that date.

As a program that is provided with base funding separate from other SFU

campuses, the Kamloops SFU program does not fall under the enrollment limits of SFU

campuses in Burnaby, Harbour Centre and Surrey. The Kamloops SFU program will

hence allocate seats for students that are admitted through SFU's general admission

policy

or through the program's special admission procedure as new students or transfer

studen'ts on a space-available basis. The same will apply to students whose home

university is TRU: They will be admissible either through SFU's regular visiting student

admissions category (see above) or through the special admissions procedure.

r Credit to/from Institutions other than SFU and TRU:

As perthe current British Columbia Post-Secondary Credit Transfer Guide

(www.hccatbcca) most SFU and TRU courses that comprise the Collaborative Major in

First Nations Studies already have transfer credit to other universities, university colleges

and community colle

es in British Columbia, and can thus be applied for transfer to

credentials at other institutions, subject to the transfer and residency requirements of

those institutions and credentials.

In addition, a variety of credit courses at community colleges, university colleges

and universities outside of TRU and SFU have existing transfer credit to many of the

TRU or SFU courses listed as applying to the Collaborative Major. For example, Lower

Divisin courses that are widely available at community colleges, university courses and

other universities, and that have assigned transfer credit to SFU or TRU, include those

listed as either TRU or SFU options under the "core concept courses" requirement.

While some of the core courses at other institutions, particularly those with

established First Nations Studies programs like UNBC, have assigned transfer credit to

particular SFU FNST core or elective courses, other courses from outside institutions

have been evaluated by SFU to have elective or unassigned transfer credit and can thus

be applied to meet the elective requirements of the Major. On a case by case basis, such

coursesfrom outside institutions may also be evaivated by either SFU or

TRU

to meet

the group requirements, subject to each institution's residency requirements for B.A.

degrees. SFU's general Residency requirement for B.A. degrees stipulates that no more

than 15 credit hours of upper division courses can be transferred from another institution.

This residency requirement will also apply to the Collaborative Major, except for TRU

courses that will be transferred to the Collaborative Major by SFU students.

TRU's B.A. Residency requirement stipulates that at least 36 credits of a

minimum of 48 credits in 300-400 level courses must be completed atTRU. This

residency requirement will apply to courses transferred to the Collaborative Major in

First Nations Studies from institutions other than SFU, but will not apply to the Upper

Division courses towards the Major that are listed as SFU courses.

Each institution will assure that residency requirements or transfer limits of courses from

the other institution that normally apply will be maintained except in exceptional

situations. In these exceptional circumstances, students will be required to apply for a

waiver that must be approved through the normal institutional processes. This waiver,

however, will not extend to courses taken at any other institutions outside of SFU and

TRU on a letter of permission,

i.e.

students will be restricted to the usual limit of 60

transfer credits of courses. The only exception to this are FNST 101 and FNST 201 taken

as Open Learning University courses.

6 Faculty

SFU in Kamloops has the following full-time Faculty appointments to teach the SFU

courses that comprise the Collaborative Major:

I ! . ?

One CFL Faculty appointment in First Nations Studies and Anthropology at the

rank of tenured Associate Professor (Dr. Marianne Ignace)

One full-time limited term lecturer position currently being filled, to be replaced

in Archaeololecturer/First

Anthropology/Sociology

M.A.)

Lecturer (currently Dr.

Richard Toews)

One full-time Senior Math Lab Lecturer position (Dr. Ping Ding)

Sessional instructors who teach courses in excess of the teaching load of the above full-

time faculty are and will be hired as per budget and scheduling needs to teach additional

core and elective courses towards the Collaborative Major.

Sessional instructors also teach most of the First Nations lan

uage courses. The

program has been able to draw on Mrs. Mona Jules, a fluent elder speaker of

Secwepemctsin (Shuswap language) on an ongoing basis to teach LING 231, 232 arid

other courses in Secwepemc language.

All SFU faculty and sessional appointments are made through established SFU

faculty appointment policies and procedures. Subject to the academic qualifications of

applicants for faculty and sessional positions. arid subject to the recommendations of

I et-

University departments which rank applicants based on academic merit, representatives

of the

local First Nations community also rank applicants based on criteria of cultural

compatibility and according to its protocols.

SFU's Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Departmental policies on Faculty

and

Srssional

appointments require the successful applicant for a teaching position to

hold a graduate degree in the discipline represented by the course, or in a discipline

languages offered through the SFU Department of Linguistics, which require the

instructor to be a fluent speaker of the language and have professional experience in

teaching it.

TRU has the following full time Faculty appointments who teach existing TRU

course

s that are listed as part of the Collaborative Major, and whose teaching and

research expertise involves Aboriginal peoples and issues:

Dr. Catherine Carison, Associate Professor, Anthropology and Archaeology

Dr. Martin Whittles, Assistant Professor, Anthropolo

y, and Coordinator of the

Canadian Studies Program

Dr. Peter Murphy, Professor, English

sfsDr. Katherine Sutherland, Associate Professor, English

Dr. John Belshaw, Associate Professor, History

4. ?

Virginia Ratsoy, M.A. Assistant Professor, English

TRU also hires additional sessional instructors to teach courses as per budget and

enrollments for which regular faculty are not available.

All TRU Faculty who teach courses that will apply to the Collaborative Major in First

Nations Studies are appointed toTRU policies and procedures on Faculty appointments,

whichtsually stipulate a Graduate degree in the discipline of the course, or related to the

discipline of the course.

Short Curriculum Vitae of all Faculty inenzbers at SFU Kamloops and TRU listed

above are provided in an Appendix.

Course Scheduling with existing Faculty:

The ab9ve listed number of faculty appointments at the two institutions allows for regular

scheduling and cycling of core courses, group requirement courses and electives as

foil ows:

- The Lower Division core courses (FNST 101; ANTH 214, FNST 201) are and will be

offerednce per academic year at each institution. In addition, FNST 101 and FNST 201

are

each

available once per year as distance courses, and in semesters when they are not

taught ir Kamloops.

- The Làwer Division core concept courses are offered in one semester per academic year

at each institution, and in alternating semesters (i.e. SA 101 is offered at SFU Kamloops

in Fail and its equivalent, ANTH 1)1 is offered at TRU in Winter Semester (=SFU Spring

Semester). ANTH 119 is offered annually atTRU, usually in Fall semester, and bi-

annually at SFU Kamloops.

- LING 23 1 (Secwepemctsin) is offered each Fall semester in Kamloops, and LING 232

is offered in Spring Semester (=TRtJ Winter Semester). LING 231 Secwepen-ictsin is also

offered oil demand and subject to fundin

available in Williams Lake. Additional First

Nations languages are offered in various other Aboriginal communities. At present,

communities that are liaising with

SFU

in Kainloops to access First Nations language

credit courses, including LING 231.

232,433,

434 and others include:

ST. ?

Secwepemctsin (Shuswap) in Kamloops and Williams Lake

ST. ?

Ts'ilhqot'in in Williams Lake

.T. ?

Nuxalk in Bella Coola

.!. ?

Hilzaqvla in Bella Bella

4. ?

Xaad Ku (Haida) in Old Massett

4. ?

Upper St'at'imcets in Lillooet

!' ?

Lower St'at'imcets in Mount Currie

The four Upper Division SFU core courses (FNST 301, 401,402, 403) are offered

cyclically, with one of them being offered in each of three annual SFU semesters. Their

TRU alternatives, ENG 447 and ANTI-I 327, are offered once per year at TRU.

Several courses that meet the Group 1-Group IV requirements, as well as the Lower and

Upper Division elective requirements, are offered on an ongoing basis at both

institutions.

As this demonstrates, the Collaborative Major can be offered through

existing courses and course rotations taking advantage of the offerings at both

institutions. Should student demand for courses and for the Major in general,

significantly increase in the next few years, additional faculty resources may

eventually be required at both institutions.

Both SFU and TRU have Research Ethics Boards in place, which implement both

institutions' policies on research with human subjects, including such research in courses,

according to Canadian university guidelines and practices.

Program Resources

SFU Kamloops currently operates out of a portables campus consisting of six classroom

and office trailers at Chief Louis Centre on the Kamloops Indian Reserve. All

SFU

courses that are listed as comprising the Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies are

offered at this facility, with the exception of some First Nations langua

e courses offered

in other First Nations communities, as indicated above. Space-wise, the current size and

number of classrooms and classroom furniture are sufficient to offer the number and

range of courses indicated above for the SFU courses of the Collaborative Major. If

student numbers in courses significantly increase during the next few years, however,

additional classroom space will be required. Simon Fraser University has also begun

discussions with Kamloops Indian Band

with

regards to a future permanent facility for

the rogram, which will accommodate increased space requirements.

Thompson Rivers University, since receiving degree granting status as University

College of the Cariboo, has added several major buildin

s to its campus during the past

decaie, including an Arts and Education building with three floors of classroom and

office space. Since all

TRU

courses towards the Collaborative Major involve existing

courses already scheduled in regular rotations, no additional classroom and office space

will be required immediately. Should enrollments in TRU courses significantly increase

during the next

few

years, however, additional classroom and office space will also be

required on the TRU

side.

Librry and Computer Support:

All SFU faculty and students in Kamloops have full borrowing privileges with the SFU

librar', as facilitated by a resource librarian at the Kamloops program. Students from

both IRU

and SFU Kamloops currently access the TRU library, which has a good and up

to date collection of First Nations Studies/Aboriginal Studies books, periodicals and

audiovisual resources. In addition, SFU Kamloops houses a small resource library with

books, some journals and vertical files on First Nations peoples and issues, and it also

houses archival research documents and historical documents from the Secwepemc

Cultural Education Societ

, Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and other local Aboriginal

organizations. The SFU Kamloops program has fast internet service available, which

further facilitates on-line search and retrieval of library materials. All visiting SFU

students, including students whose home institution is TRU, also have borrowing

privileges with the SFU Library, and can access books and periodicals and other materials

throuh the service described above.

The SFU Kamloops program also houses an internet-connected computer lab with

1.1 stationsavailable for students. TRU's campus includes several computer labs for

student access.

Student Support and Academic Advising:

TRU students can access the services of a Coordinator for Aboriginal Students, who

provid

es support services "designed to enhance Aboriginal students' postsecondary

experience at TRU

culturally, socially and academically. The Coordinator provides

general information on admissions and educational program options and liaises with TRU

personnel, Aboriginal bands, Aboriginal high school coordinators, as well as other related

local and regional agencies" (TRU 2004-2005 Calendar,

40). TRU also provides

Academic Advising for Bachelor of Arts degrees, including the B.A. in Aboriginal

Studies to its students through the Academic Advising Centre, where degree advising

sessions are available to prospective and current students (www.Tru.hc.ca!admregi

advisi

n1).

SFU lamloops provides academic advising services through its Academic Coordinator

and Undergraduate Advisor, who in turn liaise with the University's Faculty of Arts and

Social Sciences advisors. In addition, the Undergraduate Advisor provides help and

referrals to students who require study skills and life skills support. The Kamloops SFU

pro g

ra-n also provides students with peer tutoring services free of charge on request, and

as bud g

ets permit. Additional SFU program staff in Kamloops provide students with help

and support regarding liaison with the bands or sponsoring or2anizations, student loans,

work study and other support services.

The academic advisors at TRU and SFU Kamloops have met to establish rapport and

have established a working relationship with regards to student advising and recruitment

Of students into the Major program, as well as the optimal scheduling of courses towards

the Collaborative Major, in order to allow students from both institutions to access a

maximum number of courses on an ongoing basis.

Intended implementation schedule for the Collaborative Major in

First Nations/Aboriginal Studies:

. ?

Early July, 2005

In-detail Proposal of Collaborative Major distributed at SFU

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and TRU Faculty of Arts for

review

July 2005

Posting of Proposal for Degree Program Review on Ministry of

Advanced Education website

July - Nov. 2005

Review and Approval-in-detail process with SFU Faculty of Arts

and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee, Senate Committee on

Undergraduate Studies (SCUS), and Senate Committee on

University Planning (SCUP), Senate and Board of Governors.

(The UCC (now TRU) Education Council already completed

the internal approval of the Collaborative Major in 2004). Proposal

sent from SCUP to Ministry of Advanced Education for its review

approval.

December 2005

Approval process with SFU and Ministry of Advanced Education

complete; begin advertising and recruitment at both institutions.

Spring/Winter

Semester 2006

Formal launching of Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies

by both institutions; courses towards Major available at both

institutions; students who already have completed courses towards

the Collaborative Major will be able to use them towards degree

and Major completion, begin admissions process of new students

to the Major at both institutions, and program approval process

Fall p006

Collaborative Major available at both institutions, and in TRU and

SFU Calendars

Fall 2007/

Spring 2008 First graduates at TRU and SFU Kamloops with Major in First Nations

Studies

Sincethe inception of First Nations Studies as a Minor in the Kamloops SFU Program

(then in partnership with Secvepernc Cultural Education Society), ongoing and detailed

consultations have been carried out with the Interior Aboriginal community and its

organizations, including the launching of First Nations Studies as a discipline in 1993,

which took place with the sanction and support, as well as in consultation with the local

Aboriginal community. A Joint Steering Committee, composed of members of SFU,

merribrs of the First Nations community of the Interior and a TRU (then UCC)

representative, provided ongoing advice, planning and monitoring of the SFU Minor in

First Nations Studies, and the planning and implementation of the Collaborative Major

between between 2001 and 2003. The Joint Steering Committee enthusiastically

supported and endorsed the development of the Collaborative Major.

TRU itself initiated its planning for what became the proposal for the Collaborative

Major through its First Nations Advisory Committee. This committee initially proposed

and ga'e direction to the establishment of First Nations Studies/Aboriginal Studies as a

discipline at the University College. The First Nations Advisory Committee in turn is/

was conposed of representation from Aboriginal people from TRU's constituent First

Nations communities, notably the Secwepemc Nation, Nlakapmx Nation and other

Aboriginal groups and communities of the Interior.

Since 2001, SFU has also had a First Nations Studies Advisory Committee,

composed of appointed First Nations Studies Faculty members, other Faculty of Arts

Faculty with expertise in First Nations Studies, along with the Director of the SFU First

Nations Student Centre, and the President of the SFU First Nations Student Association.

This Advisory Committee has heartily approved and endorsed the development of the

Collaborative Major in First Nations Studies between SFU and TRU.

fhe development of the framework for, and content of the Collaborative Major

was

carried

out by a small team of Faculty members and First Nations support staff from

SFU Kamloops and TRU. TRU members of this development team in turn consulted

with coleagues who specialize in teaching and research of First Nations issues.

ngoing informal consultations about the development of the Collaborative

Major First Nations Studies were also carried out by SFU Kamloops faculty and

program staff with dozens of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in the program who

are comletin g

the Minor in First Nations Studies and/or are taking courses in First

Nations IStudles.

9. Prorarn Review and Assessment

Accordig to SFU

Academic Policy,

each academic department or program is submitted

to an external review every seven years. The Kamloops SFU Program, includin

g its

Minor Program in First Nations Studies is currently

(2003/04)

subject to an external

review, with the next review then scheduled for—

010/1 1.

In addition to the major review process of external reviews, both TRU and SFU

have ongoing methods of reviewing and assessing the quality of academic courses and

instruction: These include, at both institutions:

.. ?

instructor evaluations conducted near the end of each course;

! s ?

regular performance review in teaching, research and administration of all faculty

members by Departmental and University Tenure Committees

In addition, the Joint Advisory Committee of the Collaborative Major, in

conjunction with both institutions, will carry out ongoing review and assessment of the

Major.

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY

Office of the Dean,

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences?

MEMORANDUM

To: ?

Jo Hinchliffe ?

From:

Mar y Ann Gillies

Secretary, Senate Committee

Chair, Faculty of Arts

on Undergraduate Studies

and Social Sciences

Curriculum Committee

Subje4t: First Nations Studies Program

New Post Baccalaureate ?

Date: ?

August 23, 2005

Diploma in First Nations Studies

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee, at its

meeting of July 21, 2005, approved the attached new PBD program submitted by

the Academic Program Coordinator for the First Nations Studies Program in

Kam1oops.

,Would you please put this item on the agenda of the next meeting of

S.C.U.S.?

Thank you.

•\__'- ?

Mary AnrGillies, Chair

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Pill

Postbaccalaureate Diploma Program

First Nations Studies

Simon Fraser University

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

July 7, 2005

Contact:

Marianne Ignace, PhD

Associate Professor of Anthropology and

Simon Fraser University Kamloops

ph. 250-828-9799

e-mail: ignace@sfu.ca

First Nations Studies

Executive Summary

This pi posal is for Simon Fraser Universit

to offer a Postbaccalaureate Diploma in

First Nations Studies, based on the existing structure of Postbaccalaureate Diplomas in

the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

individuals with professional or academic degrees who work with First Nations

communities or clients will benefit from courses and training at the postbaccalaureate

level in order to gain in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal culture, histor

, legal, policy and

governaice issues. Such coursework will allow them to more effectively provide

services sensitive and relevant to the needs of Abori

inal peoples and communities.

Current mainstream programs and degree requirements in the resource management,

business management, education and social services fields do not always provide students

with extensive opportunities to gain knowledge in the areas listed above. The target

audience for this PBD are Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners with Baccalaureate

degrees fom a variety of backgrounds. The Postbaccalaureate will be available at the

university s Kamloops and Burnaby campus.

The Post baccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies will consist of thirty (30)

credit hours at the Upper Division (300/400 level), preceded by two prerequisite courses

(FNST 101 and 201) for the Upper Division courses. Twelve of these credit hours are the

existing core courses in FNST (FNST 301. 401. 402 and 403), the remaining credit hours

derive from six (6) credit hours in FNST electives, and twelve (12) credit hours in other

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses with content in First Nations/Aboriginal

issues (e.g. ARCH, CRIM, HIST, LING, SA). Admission and program requirements for

this PBD êomply with the general requirements for PBDs in the Faculty of Arts and

Social Scinces.

1. Rationale for the Postbaccalaurcate

Diploma Program

(PBD) in First Nations

Studies

. ?

In li g

ht of the need to improve success rates of Aboriginal people in post-secondary

education, and in light of the identified need for postsecondary education to be relevant to

the needs of Aboriginal peoples and sensitive to their cultures, SF1..] and other institutions

have created undergraduate programs in First Nations Studies in recent years. The

Kamloops SFU Program has successfully offered a Simon Fraser University Minor in

First Nations Studies since 1993, and is currently collaborating with Thompson Rivers

University to expand this into a Collaborative Major. On campus in Burnaby, the Minor

in First Nations Studies has been available for the last few years.

A needs assessment regarding lands, environment and natural resource training and

education carried out by the former SCES/SFU partnership in 1997/98 identified the need

among science and resource-management trained Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples

of the Interior towards further training in aspects of resource management that

encorporates:

• knowledge of Aboriginal culture and history

• knowledge of Aboriginal/First Nations legal and policy issues

• traditional Aboriginal knowledge (including Traditional Ecological Knowledge

and resource management regimes, Aboriginal language and worldviews)

(Montour, Laurie, 1998, A Needs Assessment to Develop a Native Lands, Environment

and Natural Resource Management Education Program.

Prepared for Simon Fraser

University and Secwepernc Cultural Education Society with support from BC Hydro)

Additionally, our experience in research and education with professionals in social

services and human resource sectors has verified that many Aboriginal and non-

Aboriginal individuals with professional or academic degrees (BSW, B.Ed., B.A., etc.)

who work with First Nations communities or clients, would benefit from additional

courses and training which provide them with in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal culture,

history, legal, policy and governance issues, in order to allow them to more effectively

provide services sensitive and relevant to the needs of Aboriginal peoples. Current

mainstream programs and degree requirements in the resource management and social

services fields do generally not provide students with extensive opportunities to gain

knowledge in the areas listed above. For secondary school teachers, the PBD in First

Nations Studies will offer the equivalent number of credit hours to qualify teachers for a

teachable Minor in First Nations Studies. In providing opportunities for the in-depth

study of Aboriginal/First Nations issues, the PBD is intended to enhance the professional

skills of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people whose existing or future employment

requires such knowledge, along with problem solving skills around Aboriginal issues

offered, at least in Kamloops, in the setting of the First Nations community and in

classrooms largely comprised of Aboriginal learners, and often instructors. The target

audience for this PBD are hence Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners in Kamloops

and Burnaby.

In 2003, the Faculty of Arts First Nations Studies Advisory Committee

enthusiastically endorsed the development of a PBD in First Nations Studies, to be

available in both Kamloops and Burnaby. The PBD relies entirely on existing SFU

courses in FNST and other disdp!ines which are alread

offered in regukir rotations in

2LI-

both Kamloops and Burnaby. The two prerequisite courses (FNST 101 and 201), and

soon

F I NS

T 401, also available as distance courses through the SFU Centre for Distance

Education. Since Upper Division FNST classes in both Kamloops and Burnaby tend to

be under-enrolled rather than over-enrolled, we also expect that this PBD will provide an

efficient and economical way to increase enrollments in FNST courses while relying on

existing Faculty resources (CFL appointments, existing limited term appointments and

sessioiial instructors provided by existin

program funding).

The

Postbaccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies

aims at providing 30

credit hours at the 300/400 (under g raduate upper division) level in First Nations Studies

and Aoriginal issues-related subjects. Through these courses, the PBD will address the

above-fisted areas of training and education for individuals who have already completed

an undrgraduate degree.

In Kamloops, the Postbaccalaureate Diploma in First Nations Studies is expected

to attract a majority of Aboriginal learners, and will also attract a smaller number of non-

Abori g

inal learners, who will benefit from the experience of Aboriginal learners and

instructors in the classroom. By building on existing courses and human resources

(Faculty appointment in First Nations Studies), this PBD offers a strategic, innovative

and economical option to address identified labour market needs pertaining to the field of

First Ntions Studies and among Aboriginal learners.

IThe program will allow for maximum flexibility for participants active in the

labour force, in that students will be able to complete the 30 credit hours of on a full-

time basis in 2-3 semesters, or on a part-time basis in 4 or more semesters.

The development of this credential, as explained above, falls within the overall mandate

and objectives of the Kamloops SFU Program, the objectives of the First Nations Studies

in Buriaby, and the University's current Three-Year Plan, which aims at improving

access io the University for First Nations Students.

Proposed Calendar Entry

Postbaccalaureate Diploma Pro

ram in First Nations Studies

The PostbaccalaLlreate Diploma in First Nations Studies is comprised of at least 30 credit

hours of upper division (300/400 level) courses or graduate level courses. Through a

variety of courses from First Nations Studies as a discipline, as well as courses rorn other

disciplines that involve the stud

of Aboriginal issues, it aims at providing students with

in-depth knowledge of Aboriginal and indigenous issues, including First Nations cultures,

and indigenous knowledge, historical contexts, natural and cultural resource

management, and legal and public policy issues. In addition, it will provide Aboriginal

and non-Aboriginal learners with opportunities to engage in dialogue and discussion

around these issues and to evaluate them taking into account Aboriginal perspectives.

Program Admission Requirements:

Students admitted to the PBD in First Nations Studies must have completed a Bachelors

Degree with a minimum CPA of 2.00 from a university in B.C., or a GPA of 2.4 from a

university outside of B.C., or equivalent.

Students can apply for entry into the PBD in First Nations Studies in Fall

Semester, Spring Semester or Summer Semester. All courses towards this PBD are

available on an ongoing basis are Burnaby and Kamloops. Prospective applicants should

consult the First Nations Studies office in Burnaby or the Kamloops SFU Program for

deadlines for admission to the program for each semester.

Program Requirements:

The PBD in First Nations Studies can be completed through full-time study or part-time

study, or a combination of both. Students can also complete the program through a

combination of courses at SFU's Burnaby and Kainloops locations.

• Upon admission to the University, students must be approved into the PBD and

must complete a plan for core and elective courses that will comprise their PBD.

• Students are expected to finish their program within two or three years to a

maximum of

years, and must obtain a GPA of

2.5

in all courses applied towards

this diploma.

• Transfer credit for work done at other institutions may be approved provided it

meets the program requirements, and provided that at least 18 of the 30 credit

hours are taken at SFU. Applications for transfer credit must be initiated at the

time of application for admission to SFU.

• Credit applied to this Postbaccal aureate Diploma may not be applied to another

SFU certificate, diploma, or degree, or vice-versa.

Curriculum:

1. Prerequisite courses

FNST 101-3 The Cultures, Languages and Origins of Canada's First Peoples

FNST 201-3 Canadian Aboriginal Perspectives on History

2) Co)e courses

Students must complete all of:

-ST 301-3 Issues in Applied First Nations Studies Research

FNST 401-3 Aboriginal Ri

g hts and Government Relations

FNST 402-3 The Discourse of Native Peoples

FNST 403-3 Indigenous Knowledge in the Modern World

FNST electives

at least 6 credit hours from the following list of FNST courses:

FNST 322-3 Special Topics: First Nations Studies

FNST 332-3 Ethnobotany of British Columbia First Nations

FNST 442-3 Directed Readings in First Nations Studies

4.) Additional electives with First Nations content, Aboriginal issues content or

indigenous issues content:

The remaining 12 elective credits will be taken by completing additional credits from the

list above (FNST 322, 332, 442), and/or from the following list of SFU courses:

ARCH 360-5 Native Cultures of North America

ARCH 386-3 Archaeological Resource Management

ARCH

435-6

Fieldwork Practicum*

CRIM 311-3 Minorities and the Criminal Justice System

CRIM 419-3 Indigenous Peoples, Crime and Criminal Justice

I-lIST 325-4 History of Aboriginal Peoples of North America to 1850

1-LIST 326-4 History of Aboriginal Peoples of North America since 1850

LING 331-3 Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language I

LING 32-3 Description and Analysis of a First Nations Language II

Native American Languages

430-3

1.31-3

Language Structures I

First Nations Language Mentoring I

1.32-3

Language Structures II

LING ?